The Boston band Bygone sounds like their name. A band from another time; but this Bygone’s time is now, because their debut self-titled record sounds as fresh as anything that has come out in 2025 while staying true to the sound of the band’s influences. What are some of those bands you ask? Uriah Heep, Blue Oyster Cult, Deep Purple, UFO, maybe some Hawkwind, and even a little bit of Kiss, just to name a few. This is outer space blast off riff and organ filled transported to 2025 from a better time killer head tripping rock and roll and boy oh boy am I here for it.
Lightspeed Nights opens up the record in all of its synth and riff glory, sounding like a space odyssey that Hawkwind with Paul Stanley on vocals may have sounded like, but heavier. The guitar work on Shadow Rising works so perfectly with the keys and paired with those vocals makes this a song of the year candidate. Deep Purple meets BOC and it is breath taking. The tempo slows a bit on Take Me Home where the keys drive and a chunkier Rush vibe appears from the sky. Synth solo!!!
Notice there is not a drummer, so yes these are programmed but you know what? There are so many death/thrash bands that do this now that it's probably the norm. With the mix and master of Nikola Zanev, you can pick out all of the skill here especially in the guitars/bass which are the major contributors to this progressive metal feast, a record that has some serious virtuosity to it.
Proficiency in the extreme, Jester Majesty aren't just here to show off, this is progressive metal with songwriting that compliments the skill level. 8/10
Indigosaur - Cosmic Center (Electric Valley Records) [Rich Piva]
Cagliari, Italy’s Indigosaur are here to bring some straight up killer rock to a 70s rock themed party in the form of their debut album, Cosmic Center that is filled with riffs and anchored by some great vocals and cool sense of melody all while keeping a nice blend of heavy across the nine tracks on their first effort.
Lightspeed Nights opens up the record in all of its synth and riff glory, sounding like a space odyssey that Hawkwind with Paul Stanley on vocals may have sounded like, but heavier. The guitar work on Shadow Rising works so perfectly with the keys and paired with those vocals makes this a song of the year candidate. Deep Purple meets BOC and it is breath taking. The tempo slows a bit on Take Me Home where the keys drive and a chunkier Rush vibe appears from the sky. Synth solo!!!
Into The Gleam is where space is the place, with a nice proto chug and killer synth work (again). Deep Purple in outer space is what The Last Horses Of Avalon is. As well as being awesome. The guitar solo on this one is top notch. Bygone is capable of creating earworms too. A good example of this is the chorus on the song that gives me (and probably only me) Kiss vibes, City Living. Fire In You Fire In Me closes us out with the most 70s sounding track of them all, in the best sort of way. The keys and the guitar seamless, the vocals spot on, the proggy synths, the chunky riffs…so awesome.
What a debut. When I bought the Bygone demo tape I knew we were in for something good, but for it to blow me away this much is surprising even to me. Bygone may sound like they are from the past, but they are here now to rule the earth. Amazing stuff. 10/10
Jester Majesty - Infinite Measure, Finite Existence (Xtreem Music) [Matt Bladen]
A progressive metal record from a technical twosome now as Jester Majesty deliver the debut full length Infinite Measure, Finite Existence, following an EP in 2024. Formed by Alessandro Gargivolo of thrash band Alchemist, Jester Majesty is a place for the songs he has written that are perhaps to dense and complex for a thrash band.
A way for him to be more creative and experimental with his songwriting as he draws inspiration from Death, Coroner and even Heavy Devy on the rapid shifts of Married To The Masterplan. Gargivolo (guitars/bass/vocals) was joined by Erymanthon Seth of Apocalypse on the EP and now with the debut and now with this full length they have a full partnership with Seth handling lead guitar & keyboards.
What a debut. When I bought the Bygone demo tape I knew we were in for something good, but for it to blow me away this much is surprising even to me. Bygone may sound like they are from the past, but they are here now to rule the earth. Amazing stuff. 10/10
Jester Majesty - Infinite Measure, Finite Existence (Xtreem Music) [Matt Bladen]
A progressive metal record from a technical twosome now as Jester Majesty deliver the debut full length Infinite Measure, Finite Existence, following an EP in 2024. Formed by Alessandro Gargivolo of thrash band Alchemist, Jester Majesty is a place for the songs he has written that are perhaps to dense and complex for a thrash band.
A way for him to be more creative and experimental with his songwriting as he draws inspiration from Death, Coroner and even Heavy Devy on the rapid shifts of Married To The Masterplan. Gargivolo (guitars/bass/vocals) was joined by Erymanthon Seth of Apocalypse on the EP and now with the debut and now with this full length they have a full partnership with Seth handling lead guitar & keyboards.
Notice there is not a drummer, so yes these are programmed but you know what? There are so many death/thrash bands that do this now that it's probably the norm. With the mix and master of Nikola Zanev, you can pick out all of the skill here especially in the guitars/bass which are the major contributors to this progressive metal feast, a record that has some serious virtuosity to it.
Proficiency in the extreme, Jester Majesty aren't just here to show off, this is progressive metal with songwriting that compliments the skill level. 8/10
Indigosaur - Cosmic Center (Electric Valley Records) [Rich Piva]
Cagliari, Italy’s Indigosaur are here to bring some straight up killer rock to a 70s rock themed party in the form of their debut album, Cosmic Center that is filled with riffs and anchored by some great vocals and cool sense of melody all while keeping a nice blend of heavy across the nine tracks on their first effort.
The band sounds tight and has a really cool sound that you get right off the bat with the 70s proto feel of the opener, Garden Blast. The guitar work across the record is excellent and the production is spot on. A nice stoner rock riff opens Titania that has a bit of a punk feel to it also. The pace slows with a bluesy feel on Fiery Engine, which reminds me a bit of Fire Down Below.
I seem to write this a lot when talking about bands from certain geographies, but I also get a band like Tidal Wave in a song like Never At Ease, which is killer. A couple other stand outs for me include the 90s via 70s sounding Fangs, the psych-leaning fuzzy riffs on The Wage, and the almost funkiness of Fellow Astronaut. There is not a bad track on the record and the songs flow nicely throughout the entirety of Cosmic Center.
Indigosaur gave the people a great debut, filled with riffs, proto 70s stuff, and a not so subtle nod to 90s alt rock on Cosmic Center. A record very much worth your time if you like the fuzzy, riff filled rock. 8/10
Indigosaur gave the people a great debut, filled with riffs, proto 70s stuff, and a not so subtle nod to 90s alt rock on Cosmic Center. A record very much worth your time if you like the fuzzy, riff filled rock. 8/10
EverRise - Lost (Eclipse Records) [Matt Bladen]
A French band playing Swedish melodeath now as EverRise return after quite a gap with their third record Lost.
With lyrics that deal with issues such as depression and suicide, there's not much catharsis to be had here, but the downbeat lyrics are delivered by vocalist Benjamin in just growled and screamed tones so there's not that duality between clean and harsh delivery you get with some Melodeath bands.
EverRise bring introspection and isolation on Lost, taking them down a heavier path than they may have stepped on previously. Maybe it was the gestation of this record or maybe personal things but EverRise are angrier on track such as My Shelter, but like Arch Enemy or At The Gates or Insomnium guitarists Stéphane and Patrice manage to change easily between HM-2 buzzsaws from melodic leads and solos.
The technical ability of the band is without doubt and while the guitars often get the attention in the back room Laurent's bass is the anchor for the heaviness while Fabrice can ignite a song with blast beats after periods of relative slowness, though nothing is too slow for too long as this is melodeath that leans on the deathier side.
The album title is Lost but EverRise have found an inner darkness that has made this record all the heavier. 7/10
A French band playing Swedish melodeath now as EverRise return after quite a gap with their third record Lost.
With lyrics that deal with issues such as depression and suicide, there's not much catharsis to be had here, but the downbeat lyrics are delivered by vocalist Benjamin in just growled and screamed tones so there's not that duality between clean and harsh delivery you get with some Melodeath bands.
EverRise bring introspection and isolation on Lost, taking them down a heavier path than they may have stepped on previously. Maybe it was the gestation of this record or maybe personal things but EverRise are angrier on track such as My Shelter, but like Arch Enemy or At The Gates or Insomnium guitarists Stéphane and Patrice manage to change easily between HM-2 buzzsaws from melodic leads and solos.
The technical ability of the band is without doubt and while the guitars often get the attention in the back room Laurent's bass is the anchor for the heaviness while Fabrice can ignite a song with blast beats after periods of relative slowness, though nothing is too slow for too long as this is melodeath that leans on the deathier side.
The album title is Lost but EverRise have found an inner darkness that has made this record all the heavier. 7/10
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